Last batch of detained children released

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Authorities have today begun releasing 45 children and their
families held in Australian immigration detention centres.

The families of the 21 children held at Villawood were today
allowed to leave the detention centre. But are not free. They have
been housed in serviced apartments under a community detention
plan.

It is understood the rest of the children held in detention
centres around Australia will be released tomorrow.

Another 18 children and their families are held in detention at
Port Augusta and Baxter detention centres in South Australia.

Three children are held on Christmas Island and one child is
locked up at Maribyrnong in Melbourne. Two others are held in
community detention.

All children must be freed by tomorrow under an agreement
between the Prime Minister, John Howard, and moderate Coalition
MPs, who lobbied for their release.

When he released details in June of changes to the detention
system, Mr Howard said it could take four to six weeks "to make
arrangements for the families currently in detention".

Friday marks six weeks since his announcement.

However, there are lingering concerns that the families will be
put into temporary accommodation because permanenet housing is not
ready.

AAP reports: Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said
today the children, from 20 families, were being transferred to
community-based accommodation.

"By the end of this week, there will be none [in detention],"
Senator Vanstone said in a statement.

She said when Prime Minister John Howard announced changes to
the system for families in detention on June 17 there were 59
children still in immigration detention. Since then, 14 had been
granted visas.

"With this new, flexible approach for families, the Government
is maintaining its strong stance on border control while being
sensitive to the special needs of families in detention," Senator
Vanstone said.

The children are being looked after by the Australian Red Cross
and other non-government organisations funded by the Immigration
Department, but they would still have to report to the
department.

Senator Vanstone said she had also used her ministerial powers
to grant temporary visas to the remaining 11 detainees, including
three children, on Christmas Island. They are expected to arrive in
Perth tomorrow.

An adult in alternative detention and another on a bridging visa
in Perth would also be granted temporary protection visas, the
minister said.